Page 13 of Mafia King

Nikolai is already scanning the reception lobby when he sees the boy.

Theo stands near one of the low leather chairs, a small gym bag over one shoulder, dark hair slicked back. He looks up the moment he appears and offers a small, easy smile.

Something in Nikolai’s chest eases. He had not realized how much he had been looking forward to this until now.

Nikolai crosses the floor and stops in front of him.

“Thank you for coming,” Nikolai says. “I apologize for leaving it so long. Something came up with work.”

“That’s cool,” Theo answers. His eyes take a slow, appreciative sweep of the lobby. “This place is fancy. Seriously. Your monthly membership over a year would probably pay for that cabin you dream about.”

Nikolai smiles.

Theo’s remark is sharp, quick, and delivered without any real bite. Nikolai appreciates the wit. Internally though he files away something more important…

The boy is smart.

Shrewd.

Theo notices details and turns them into quiet observations that land exactly where they should. Nikolai can see that he’s not some dumb party boy. Far from it, in fact.

“Changing rooms are that way,” Nikolai says, pointing toward the discreet row of individual changing rooms. “I’ll meet you by the pool in five. Don’t be late.”

Theo nods and disappears down the hallway.

Nikolai heads to his room, strips with practiced efficiency, and pulls on dark swim shorts.

By the time he reaches the pool deck Theo is already there. The black trunks sit cleanly against his waist body, simple and elegant, nothing excessive. But revealing none the less… in all the best ways.

All said, Theo looks even better than Nikolai expected…

Strong lines, quiet confidence.

Theo catches him looking and raises one eyebrow, but says nothing.

They slip into the water without discussion. Nikolai sets a steady pace. Theo matches it easily, stroke for stroke, never falling behind, never pushing ahead just to prove a point. His form is clean. Efficient.

Nikolai finds himself watching Theo more than he intends to. They finish the last lap together and climb out, water streaming off skin.

“Here,” Nikolai says as he picks up one of the towels wait on the heated benches. Nikolai wraps the towel around his waist. Theo does the same, the fabric sitting low on his hips. “And now we sauna.”

The sauna is empty when they step inside. Heat wraps around them immediately, dry and intense. They sit on the upper bench, a careful space between them.

Nikolai leans back against the warm wood and lets the tension of the past week begin to loosen.

“As much as I enjoy late-night drinks,” Nikolai says, “I love this too. The quiet. The heat. No one needing anything from me for an hour.”

“I’m the same,” Theo answers.

“You are?”

Nikolai glances at the boy. He is not entirely sure whether he means it or whether he is simply agreeing with him. But he lets the doubt slide. For now it does not matter.

Steam rises between them.

Theo turns his head slightly, studying him with that same assessing look he had worn in the bar.

“You’re a man of mystery, you know that?” Theo says. The tone is light, almost teasing, but there is an edge underneath. “You’ve barely revealed anything about yourself. After all, how many people can just take the morning off to hang out at an exclusive health club like this?”